MONTEVALLO, Ala.  – The University of Montevallo men's basketball team's second-half comeback fell short to Union, 99-85, Saturday at Trustmark Arena,
 
The Falcons opened Saturday afternoon in celebration of the program's senior class which features, Braxton Bertolette, James McNeil, Te Smith and Jaylon Tharpe.
 
Union outscored Montevallo 44-47 in the first-half. Montevallo battled with the Bulldogs early before a 6-0 run put Union ahead 20-10 at the 13:05 mark.
 
The Falcons outscored Union 58-55 overall in the second-half. With 10:08 remaining, a three-pointer from Mason Shifflett trimmed the 17-point halftime deficit to 13. A 19-4 run in response from Union put the Bulldogs up 90-61 with 5:04 to play – the largest lead of the game. In the final five minutes, Montevallo went on a 24-9 run and outscored Union 12-0 in the final 3:24 of play – including three consecutive three-pointers from Jamarras McCray, Jaylon Tharpe and Kendon Knight. The ending run wasn't enough, however, as the Falcons fell, 99-85.
 
Senior and Gulf South Conference leading scorer Braxton Bertolette scored a team-high 20 points and finished 10-of-13 from the charity stripe. Aidan Gardiner finished second in scoring with 13 while Mason Shifflett and Kendon Knight each added 12. Tharpe rounded out the group of five double-digit scorers with 11.

Game Information

Score: Montevallo 85 , Union 99
Records: Montevallo (9-16, 7-14 GSC), Union (12-8, 13-11 GSC)
Location: Montevallo, Alabama | Trustmark Arena
 
 

GAME NOTES
 

• Montevallo attempted a season-high 41 free-throws and made 31 for  75.6 percent to tie the fifth-best free-throws made mark in program history. Jaylon Tharpe (4-for-4) and Kendon Knight (5-for-5) each finished perfect from the line.
• The Falcons held a 37-36 advantage on the boards as Gardiner led the way with eight. Montevallo outrebounded Union on the offensive glass, 12-8 but each team finished even at 10 second-chance points apiece.
• McNeil, the GSC leader in steals, finished with five steals and a team-high four assists on Senior Night.
• Union shot 53.8 percent from the floor and 42.9 percent from deep on 15 made three-pointers.
• Montevallo edged the Bulldogs in turnovers, 19-16, and scored 24 points-from-turnovers.

 
Up Next: Montevallo will hit the road to take on Valdosta State on Feb. 16 in Valdosta, Georgia.